Prof Pam McComb

Brisbane neurologist Professor Pamela McComb says she has there priority areas as the new president of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurology.

Speaking at the ANZAN Annual Scientific Meeting in Sydney on 25 May, Professor McComb said workforce and training was a key issue for the speciality of neurology in Australia to meet the rapidly growing demand for neurologists in clinical areas such as stroke for an ageing population.

It was therefore essential for neurologists to lobby effectively for an appropriate number of advanced trainee positions, she said.

Workforce was also tied the shortage of neurologists in regional areas of Australia, she added.

And as with many other medical specialities, the issue of women in neurology was one that she would like to see more engagement with members during her time as president, she told the conference.

Professor McComb is currently head of the Royal Brisbane Clinical school in the University of Queensland School of Medicine and Co-head of the Brain and Mental Health Theme at the UQ Centre for Clinical Research.